UN must define extremism in WAVE Act: Analyst

Press TV-(Fri Dec 20, 2013) The United Nations must have a clear definition of extremism in its recently adopted resolution based on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s proposals for a World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE), an analyst says.

“I think that as a resolution or as a draft resolution, it is going to be important to try to work out the details of what definition of extremism really is,” William Beeman, a professor at the University of Minnesota said in an interview with Press TV on Friday.On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly voted by consensus to approve the WAVE Act, which calls on all nations across the globe to denounce violence and extremism.“That is going to be difficult on a world scale but I think that it is a great start to trying to reduce violence in the world,” the analyst added.Under the resolution, the General Assembly would urge all member states to unite against violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as sectarian violence.It would encourage efforts by leaders to discuss within their communities the causes of violent extremism and discrimination, and evolve strategies to address them.It would also recommend the promotion of community engagement in countering violent extremism, including by strengthening ties between communities and emphasizing common bonds and interests.On September 24, Rouhani called for a World Against Violence and Extremism during his speech at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.“We should accept and be able to open a new horizon in which peace will prevail over war, tolerance over violence, progress over bloodletting, justice over discrimination, prosperity over poverty, and freedom over despotism,” Rouhani said.In mid-December, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Mohammad Khazaei said the world body finally put Rouhani’s proposals on its agenda.